Modern Escapism: Redefining Identity Beyond Collective Norms

In the modern world, there is a rapid shift away from traditional forms of social and political reality in favor of exploring personal facets of identity and self-realization. People are abandoning conventional collective values, and instead, they opt for a realm of fantasies and alternative cultural constructs, where every detail reflects their individual interests and aspirations. This approach not only enables them to distance themselves from pressing social problems but also to listen to an inner voice that defines their unique life principles. In this dynamic process, one observes a blend of escaping external obligations and the active search for ways to express oneself through personal cultural and religious traditions. The overall picture of modern culture indicates that the pursuit of personal satisfaction and consumption is becoming a kind of modern strategy that reinforces individualism and creates new challenges for social unity.

What is meant by escapism and how does it manifest in modern culture?

Escapism implies a departure from familiar reality and disengagement from political and social issues, often accompanied by the search for one’s unique identity and self-realization within peaceful alternative constructs. This effect is evident when a person consciously isolates themselves from acute life problems, choosing instead to indulge in fantasies or “select” specific religious and cultural traditions, which then becomes a form of psychological defense and self-expression.

In modern culture, this mood is evident, for example, in a particular type of belief system that does not emphasize collective values but rather champions individualism. As noted in one source:

"Lee characterizes typical American religion as an elite type of religion: it places the busy individual, focused on personal interests, above the community of believers. Within this religion, there is a regular choice in favor of what Lee calls 'selective syncretism,' instead of attempts to delve into religious traditions. It is marked simultaneously by escapism, with its retreat from the world of politics and society, and by narcissism, with the quest for personal identity and the desire for self-actualization. In rejecting the inherent goodness of creation, this religion urges Americans to view the existing world merely as a source of resources, one that tolerates ecological negligence and rampant violence—which, as Lee notes in the preface to the paperback reissue, represents an increasingly alarming phenomenon in American public life" (source: link ).

Thus, in the context of modern culture, escapism is not simply a flight into an alternative reality. Rather, it is a strategic retreat from socio-political obligations that is often accompanied by the pursuit of personal satisfaction through the adoption or selection of a particular set of traditions. This may not result in profound spiritual self-improvement but rather in superficial self-affirmation and consumption. This dynamic reinforces individualism and gives rise to new forms of social paradoxes, where personal interests begin to dominate over collective values.